Calendar, July 23-29

73rd ANNUAL LOUDOUN COUNTY FAIR. Sunday, July 27-Saturday, Aug. 2, 4-9 p.m., Loudoun County Fairgrounds, Dry Mill Road, Leesburg. The public is invited to the annual country fair. Includes a carnival, children's activities, educational demonstrations and more. Cost: $10 per adult per day, $25 per adult per week, $5 per child per day, $10 per child per week, free for children under 5, free for senior on senior day, and free for children under 15 on Thursday. Call 703-777-3835 or http://www.LoudounCountyFair.com.

Send announcements, which are open to the public at no or minimal cost, to The Loudoun Connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102 or e-mail to loudoun@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is Friday, two weeks before the event. Photos/artwork encouraged. For more information, contact Matthew Razak 703-917-6457. For additional entertainment listings, visit www.connectionnewspapers.com, E section.

&lt;cal1&gt;Wednesday/July 23

&lt;cal2&gt;1960s FILMS. 7 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Watch "Repulsion," just one of several films from the 1960s that the Ashburn Library will be showing on Wednesdays throughout the summer. Recommended for adults; admission is free. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us for a complete listing of future movie showings.

FOSSIL FUN. 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., Rust Library, 34D Catoctin Circle, Leesburg. Learn how the Miocene Sea changed over time to become the Chesapeake Bay and how the remains of those ancient creatures can be found as fossils. Recommended for ages 8 and up. Register online at http://library.loudoun.gov or phone 703-777-0690.

&lt;cal1&gt;Friday/July 25

&lt;cal2&gt;FURRY FRIDAY. 5-7 p.m., Sterling Community Center, 20 Enterprise St., Sterling. Once a month, animals from the Loudoun County Animal Shelter will be at the Sterling Community. Bring the whole family for a real "happy hour" with animals looking for new homes. Visit www.loudoun.gov/animals.

BRAWL TOURNAMENT. 6 p.m., Douglass Community Center, 405 East Market St., Leesburg. Battle other gamers on Nintendo Wii to become the "Super Smash Bros. Champion." For ages 5 and up. Cost: $5. To register, call 703-771-5913 or e-mail dcc@loudoun.gov by July 23.

BOOGER BOGGLER and Other Mysteries of the Human Body. 2:30 p.m., at Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Find out a lot of body mysteries, make a yucky craft to take home. Recommended for ages 4-6. Register online at http://library.loudoun.gov or phone 703-737-2426.

BUTTERFLY WALK, 1 p.m., Blue Ridge Center, 11611 Harpers Ferry Road, Neersville. Join a butterfly walk and tour of a 7-acre organic farm. A potluck picnic lunch will follow, either outside on picnic tables or inside an open barn, depending on the weather. Detailed directions can be found at www.blueridgecenter.org. Contact Linda Burchfiel at 703-506-4310 or larva@attglobal.net.

&lt;cal2&gt;BLUEMONT CONCERT SERIES. 7 p.m., lawn of the Loudoun County Courthouse, Leesburg. Features Pan Masters: Caribbean steel band. Bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on and a picnic to enjoy before the show. Cost: $5 per person, $4 for Bluemont Friends and seniors, $2 for children 12 and under; proceeds go to support Bluemont’s year-round Artist-In-Education program in area schools. Contact the Bluemont office at 540-338-4640 or www.bluemont.org.

POOCH PARADE. Registration, 11 a.m.; judging and awards, 12:15 p.m.; demonstrations, 2:15 p.m., Ashburn Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department, 20688 Ashburn Road. Categories include best trick, best costume, most obedient and cutest. Includes door prizes, vendors, ambulance and truck tours, demonstrations by working dogs, food for purchase. Cost: parade registration, in advance $6 for first category, $2 each additional category; at door $8 and $3. All dogs must be leashed, have dog license and rabies vaccine tags and must be with owner at all times.

INTRODUCTION TO INSECTS. 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Rust Nature Sanctuary. Get to know a vital part of nature — insects. Search for insects at Rust to learn how to identify them and how they help make the natural world work. For adults and older children; RSVP 703-737-0021. Free.

ESL CONVERSATION GROUP. ESL Conversation Group. 7-9 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. The English Conversation Group is an informal conversation circle for non-native speakers to practice speaking English. This is not a class, but an opportunity to meet new people, share your culture and have fun. Only English will be spoken and all levels are welcome. Recommended for adults. Visit http://library.loudoun.gov.

STORIES WITH A TWIST. 4 p.m., Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., Sterling. Listen to Barbara Spilman Lawson’s unforgettable and extraordinary stories and songs, presented in her own unique and hilarious manner. All ages. Free, limited tickets will be available, starting half an hour before the performance. 703-430-9500.

1960s FILMS. 7 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Watch "Dr. Blowup," just one of several films from the 1960s that the Ashburn Library will be showing on Wednesdays throughout the summer. Recommended for adults; admission is free. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us for a complete listing of future movie showings.

C IS FOR CRIME CAPER! 5:30 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. A crime has been committed at the library, follow the clues to rescue a special work of art. Ages 7-11. Register online at http://library.loudoun.gov or phone 703-737-8100.

STORY TIME MATINEE: The Mysterious Tadpole. 2 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Louis’ uncle has given him a tadpole for his birthday. As he watches the tadpole grow, it soon becomes clear that it is not turning into an ordinary frog. Ages 3-6. 703-737-8100.

NYC TRIP. 6:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m., Bus departs from and returns to Stein Mart, 1021 Edwards Ferry Road, N.E., Leesburg. Travel by luxury motor coach to New York City. Cost: $60 per person; individuals under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Must register at the Douglass Community Center, 405 East Market St., Leesburg; call 703-771-5913 or e-mail dcc@loudoun.gov.

BLUEMONT CONCERT SERIES. 7 p.m., lawn of the Loudoun County Courthouse, Leesburg. Features Holmes Brothers: Gospel and blues. Bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on and a picnic to enjoy before the show. Cost: $5 per person, $4 for Bluemont Friends and seniors, $2 for children 12 and under; proceeds go to support Bluemont’s year-round Artist-In-Education program in area schools. Contact the Bluemont office at 540-338-4640 or www.bluemont.org.

SUMMER MUSIC FEST. 5 p.m., Belmont Country Cub, 19661 Belmont Manor Lane, Ashburn. The Loudoun Summer Music Fest presents KC and The Sunshine Band. Food, beer and wine available for purchase. Cost: $17 in advance, $20 at the gate, children under 6 free. Call 703-327-9096 or visit www.liveatbelmont.com.

RIBBITING TALES and Facts about Slimy Frogs! 2 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls. Alonso Abugattas, a naturalist with Arlington County will share facts and stories about frogs includes live frogs to see and touch. All ages. Limited, free tickets are available at the library starting half an hour before the program. 703-444-3228.

MOVIE AT THE LIBRARY. 2 p.m., Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St., Sterling. Watch "National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets" on the library’s big screen. For teens. Limited, free tickets available at the library starting half an hour before the program. 703-430-9500.

ESL CONVERSATION GROUP. ESL Conversation Group. 7-9 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. The English Conversation Group is an informal conversation circle for non-native speakers to practice speaking English. This is not a class, but an opportunity to meet new people, share your culture and have fun. Only English will be spoken and all levels are welcome. Recommended for adults. Visit http://library.loudoun.gov.

&lt;cal1&gt;Wednesday/Aug. 6

&lt;cal2&gt;MYSTERIOUS REPTILES ALIVE! 4 p.m., Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St, Sterling. Discover the mysteries of reptiles in this live animal presentation. All ages. Limited, free tickets will be available starting half an hour before the performance. 703-430-9500.

1960s FILMS. 7 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. Watch "Rosemary’s Baby," just one of several films from the 1960s that the Ashburn Library will be showing on Wednesdays throughout the summer. Recommended for adults; admission is free. Visit www.lcpl.lib.va.us for a complete listing of future movie showings.

&lt;cal2&gt;BLUEMONT CONCERT SERIES. 7 p.m., lawn of the Loudoun County Courthouse, Leesburg. Features Robin & Linda Williams: country folk. Bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on and a picnic to enjoy before the show. Cost: $5 per person, $4 for Bluemont Friends and seniors, $2 for children 12 and under; proceeds go to support Bluemont’s year-round Artist-In-Education program in area schools. Contact the Bluemont office at 540-338-4640 or www.bluemont.org.

&lt;cal1&gt;Tuesday/Aug. 12

&lt;cal2&gt;ESL CONVERSATION GROUP. ESL Conversation Group. 7-9 p.m., Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. The English Conversation Group is an informal conversation circle for non-native speakers to practice speaking English. This is not a class, but an opportunity to meet new people, share your culture and have fun. Only English will be spoken and all levels are welcome. Recommended for adults. Visit http://library.loudoun.gov.

&lt;cal1&gt;Thursday/Aug. 14

&lt;cal2&gt;LEGO ROBOTICS. 6-8 p.m., Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Construct a robot out of Legos and learn how to program it. Ages 12-18. Register online at www.lcpl.lib.va.us or 703-444-3228.

&lt;cal2&gt;BLUEMONT CONCERT SERIES. 7 p.m., lawn of the Loudoun County Courthouse, Leesburg. Features The Woodshedders: gypsy swing. Bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on and a picnic to enjoy before the show. Cost: $5 per person, $4 for Bluemont Friends and seniors, $2 for children 12 and under; proceeds go to support Bluemont’s year-round Artist-In-Education program in area schools. Contact the Bluemont office at 540-338-4640 or www.bluemont.org.

&lt;cal2&gt;FURRY FRIDAY. 5-7 p.m., Sterling Community Center, 20 Enterprise St., Sterling. Once a month, animals from the Loudoun County Animal Shelter will be at the Sterling Community. Bring the whole family for a real "happy hour" with animals looking for new homes. Visit www.loudoun.gov/animals.

&lt;cal2&gt;BLUEMONT CONCERT SERIES. 7 p.m., lawn of the Loudoun County Courthouse, Leesburg. Features The Taters: new old-time honky tonk. Bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on and a picnic to enjoy before the show. Cost: $5 per person, $4 for Bluemont Friends and seniors, $2 for children 12 and under; proceeds go to support Bluemont’s year-round Artist-In-Education program in area schools. Contact the Bluemont office at 540-338-4640 or www.bluemont.org.

&lt;cal2&gt;GOLF CLASSIC. The 2008 National Capital Golf Classic, at the Golf Club at Lansdowne, 44050 Woodbridge Parkway, Lansdowne. Proceeds benefit American Cancer Society's to fight prostate cancer and supports research programs in the National Capital Region. For tickets or corporate sponsorship opportunities, contact Beth Sartwelle at 202-483-2600 or beth.sartwelle@cancer.org. Single-player sponsorship begins at $1,750. Visit www.NationalCapitalGolfClassic.com.

&lt;cal1&gt;Friday/Sept. 26

&lt;cal2&gt;FURRY FRIDAY. 5-7 p.m., Sterling Community Center, 20 Enterprise St., Sterling. Once a month, animals from the Loudoun County Animal Shelter will be at the Sterling Community. Bring the whole family for a real "happy hour" with animals looking for new homes. Visit www.loudoun.gov/animals.

&lt;cal1&gt;Saturday/Sept. 27

&lt;cal2&gt;LURE OF LOUDOUN GALA. 6:30 p.m., River Creek Club, 43800 Olympic Blvd., Leesburg. The Loudoun Museum is hosting the second Lure of Loudoun Gala. A cocktail reception kicks off the night, followed by dinner and dancing. Individual tickets are $200 and sponsor opportunities range from $1,000-$10,000. For tickets, call the Museum at 703-777-7427 or e-mail bfriedmann@loudounmuseum.org.

&lt;cal2&gt;FURRY FRIDAY. 5-7 p.m., Sterling Community Center, 20 Enterprise St., Sterling. Once a month, animals from the Loudoun County Animal Shelter will be at the Sterling Community. Bring the whole family for a real "happy hour" with animals looking for new homes. Visit www.loudoun.gov/animals.

&lt;cal2&gt;FURRY FRIDAY. 5-7 p.m., Sterling Community Center, 20 Enterprise St., Sterling. Once a month, animals from the Loudoun County Animal Shelter will be at the Sterling Community. Bring the whole family for a real "happy hour" with animals looking for new homes. Visit www.loudoun.gov/animals.

&lt;cal2&gt;FURRY FRIDAY. 5-7 p.m., Sterling Community Center, 20 Enterprise St., Sterling. Once a month, animals from the Loudoun County Animal Shelter will be at the Sterling Community. Bring the whole family for a real "happy hour" with animals looking for new homes. Visit www.loudoun.gov/animals.